Analysis of the Kyrgyz Republic Law on Foreign Representatives

The Law on Amending the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Noncommercial Organizations (Law on “Foreign Representatives”), signed by President Japarov on April 2, 2024, establishes new burdensome requirements for noncommercial organizations (NCOs). Among other provisions, the Law provides state authorities with the right to interfere in an organization’s internal affairs, forces NCOs that receive foreign funding and engage in broadly defined “political activity” to complete a special “foreign representative” registration; and requires INGOs to work in Kyrgyzstan through a registered branch/representative office. Read the full analysis here.

A Textbook for Civil Society Organizations Laws in Kyrgyzstan

This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the legal regulation of civil society organizations and other institutions of civic participation in Kyrgyzstan. In addition to analyzing current legislation, it presents historical and theoretical knowledge, as well as international best practices. The textbook is intended for university students studying jurisprudence, state, and municipal management, management of non-profit organizations, social enterprise, and other topics. The textbook is also recommended as a basic educational resource for teaching courses on civil society organization law.

Download the textbook in Russian or Kyrgyz.

Guide on Liquidation of NCOs and representative/branch offices of foreign NCOs in the Kyrgyz Republic

With many Kyrgyzstani noncommercial organizations (NCOs) concerned about potential legal restriction on their activities, ICNL developed a guide on the liquidation of NCOs and representative/branch offices of foreign NCOs in the Kyrgyz Republic. The guide includes step-by-step instructions on the liquidation process, including procedures for annulling tax registration and depositing documents in state archives, as well as offering templates for all necessary documents during the liquidation process. Download the report (in Russian).

Digital Fundraising in Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, foreign funding is a major source of support for civil society organizations. However, in recent years it’s become harder to secure this funding. Kyrgyz organizations are trying to address this by reaching out to communities to develop new, local sources of fundraising. Experiences in many other countries have demonstrated that digital fundraising may be a new opportunity to reach potential local donors. This ICNL report explains what methods are available, how they work, and how they are regulated. Download the report here (available in Russian and English).

Legislative Overview for Financial Sustainability for Civil Society in Central Asia

This Overview highlights the legislative opportunities and constraints affecting the financial sustainability of civil society organizations. It also offers a comparative approach, allowing readers to use examples from several countries and apply them to their practice. Moreover, the Overview provides information that can be used to improve civil society-related legislation across the region and is meant to be particularly useful for specialists, civil society representatives, government agencies, and parliamentarians. Find the full analysis here (in Russian).